Job details

Clinical Nutritionist

$90 - $100 an hour

Location: Chemawa Indian Health Center (Western Oregon Service Unit)

Type: Contract, Full-Time (30-40 hours per week)

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding lunch breaks, Federal holidays, administrative facility closures, approved absences, and emergencies)

Place of Performance:

Western Oregon Service Unit

Chemawa Indian Health Center

3750 Chemawa Road NE

Salem, Oregon 97305

About the Organization:

The Western Oregon Service Unit (WOSU), also known as the Chemawa Indian Health Center, is an outpatient health center under the Indian Health Service (IHS). Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), WOSU serves over 5,000 American Indian and Alaska Native patients and provides healthcare services to students from Chemawa Indian School. The school serves high school students from over 100 tribes nationwide.

Due to a lack of funding for the IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), WOSU currently lacks a comprehensive nutrition program. Indigenous populations face higher rates of diabetes compared to other groups, making the development of nutrition services critical to advancing the IHS mission of improving the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Position Overview:

The Nutritionist will establish and deliver high-quality nutrition services to patients at WOSU, including students from Chemawa Indian School. This role focuses on disease prevention and management through evidence-based practices, emphasizing culturally relevant medical nutrition therapy (MNT), education, consultation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary care teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Nutrition Services and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT):

-Develop, coordinate, and implement quality nutrition consultation services and MNT to promote health, prevent disease, and manage chronic conditions.

-Conduct nutritional and physical activity assessments and create tailored care plans.

-Provide written instructions to patients for nutrition and exercise goals.

Patient Counseling and Education:

-Counsel patients and families on nutrition principles, food selection, and lifestyle adaptations.

-Deliver culturally competent care, incorporating indigenous principles of food and nutrition as medicine.

-Educate individuals, families, and groups on meal planning, weight management, and chronic disease prevention and management.

Collaboration and Community Engagement:

-Coordinate care with patients’ multidisciplinary teams to ensure a holistic, whole-health approach.

-Offer guidance and consultation to team members and staff.

-Collaborate with primary care providers and other stakeholders to enhance patient outcomes.

Program Development and Evaluation:

-Participate in planning, delivery, and evaluation of community nutrition care initiatives.

-Provide monthly program evaluation data, including patient metrics, program impact, and methodology.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

-Maintain compliance with IHS immunization, documentation, and performance standards.

-Participate in continuous quality improvement processes and accreditation initiatives.

-Document visits, nutrition prescriptions, and progress using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) within 72 hours of patient contact.

Training and Development:

-Complete all required facility and department training.

-Participate in clinical rounds, care conferences, and local training sessions for staff and patients.

-Contribute to the development and implementation of quality and performance improvements.

Qualifications:

Education: Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Licensure: Current, unrestricted license to practice as an RD or RDN in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Must remain in good standing throughout the contract term.

Experience: Proven expertise in providing medical nutrition therapy, counseling, and program evaluation.

Skills and Competencies:

-Strong knowledge of evidence-based nutrition practices and chronic disease management.

-Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and with diverse patient populations.

-Proficiency in the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and related documentation standards.

-Cultural competence and sensitivity to the traditions and values of American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Tour of Duty:

30-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM, excluding lunch breaks, Federal holidays, and facility closures.

Average salary estimate

$197600 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$187200K

$208000K

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What You Should Know About Clinical Nutritionist, Akicita Federal, LLC

As a Clinical Nutritionist at Chemawa Indian Health Center in Salem, OR, you'll play a pivotal role in improving the health and wellbeing of our patients, primarily American Indian and Alaska Native communities. With a competitive hourly rate of $90 to $100, this full-time position (30-40 hours each week) runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM—and excludes lunch breaks and holidays. Your mission includes establishing and delivering high-quality nutrition services that focus on disease prevention and management through culturally relevant medical nutrition therapy (MNT). By conducting nutritional assessments, tailoring care plans, and providing guidance on food selection and lifestyle adaptations, you’ll be directly impacting chronic disease management within these communities. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, you'll ensure a holistic approach to patient care, turning evidence into actionable plans. Additionally, engaging in community nutrition initiatives, prompting quality improvements, and ensuring compliance with established standards will be key responsibilities in this rewarding role. Join us at the Chemawa Indian Health Center, where your skills will help bridge the nutritional gaps in a community that deeply values culturally-competent care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Clinical Nutritionist Role at Akicita Federal, LLC

What are the responsibilities of a Clinical Nutritionist at Chemawa Indian Health Center?

As a Clinical Nutritionist at Chemawa Indian Health Center, your primary responsibilities revolve around developing and delivering quality nutrition consultation and medical nutrition therapy (MNT). You will conduct assessments to create personalized care plans, educate and counsel patients and their families on effective nutrition practices, and engage in community nutrition initiatives. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, you'll ensure a holistic approach to patient health while also participating in quality improvement processes.